Robert Larin

Canada

Intricate, unusual, and always
striking, the jewelry of Robert Larin is as intriguing as the mysterious
circumstances of his life and work.

Today, there are relatively few known
facts about the Canadian designer who produced some of the most exceptional
examples of modernist jewelry. Based in Montreal, QC, Larin began designing
jewelry in his mid-20s. His designs were in production between the years
1968 and 1977, and the substantive creative output during this short time is
truly remarkable.

Larin pushed boundaries; aesthetically,
technically and socially. In his factory on rue Papineau, he employed
approximately 25 workers, most of whom were hearing-impaired. All workers
communicated with sign-language against the noisy backdrop of the factory
floor.

To achieve the highest level of detail,
Larin’s pieces are cast using the “lost wax process”. Subverting tradition,
Larin applied this process, which was usually reserved for fine metals, to his
bold creations using pewter. The product is then hand-filed, either plated in
silver or gold, and, finally, polished. Larin also
expertly used oxidization as artistic overlay which casts a dramatic relief.